Diamond or ProNine?

[Zippy]

I'm looking for a chest protector and shin guards.

I have both narrowed down to two brands, Diamond and ProNine.

Chest Protectors -

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CPU-B&Category_Code=CHEST-PROTECTOR

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DCPiX3&Category_Code=CHEST-PROTECTOR

Shins -

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LGU-B&Category_Code=SHIN-GUARDS&Product_Count=3

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DLGiX3&Category_Code=SHIN-GUARDS&Product_Count=1

Right now I'm leaning towards the Diamond gear. Does anybody have positive or negative experience with any of these products?

[ukce1861]

I just bought the Diamond myself, but I haven't had a chance to try it out. I went with the Diamond because I thought it was a little more substantial, but I may be wrong...

If you do end up going with the Diamond gear, try this place. DirectSports.com. The shins are about $10 cheaper and they have free shipping on orders over $100.

[Kevin Finnerty]

These two chest protectors are adequate for youth ball or softball. You should never set foot on even a high school field with either of these CPs.

Negative experience: I have a permanent bump on my collarbone, where I got drilled while wearing the Diamond that you describe. The pitcher was a 14-year-old. I could not discourage you enough from buying either of these CPs. In fact, I think that it's a form of fraud that they are even allowed to sell them as hardball protectors. They should very clearly state the level of ball for which they provide adequate protection. I would assert that with a baseball traveling over 70 m.p.h., the Diamond is inadequate.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I just bought the Diamond myself, but I haven't had a chance to try it out. I went with the Diamond because I thought it was a little more substantial, but I may be wrong...

If you do end up going with the Diamond gear, try this place. DirectSports.com. The shins are about $10 cheaper and they have free shipping on orders over $100.

If you haven't used it, and you're planning on doing anything higher than Bronco or Little League, return it!

There are Wilson hard shells for $20 more, if you don't want to go the full route and buy a Gold or Platinum. It's your heart and ribs and shoulders that you're protecting, for crying out loud. Spend a little more money.

http://www.cat-sports.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAT-Sports&Product_Code=W-A3217&Category_Code=BBCP

Edited January 10, 2010 by Kevin Finnerty

[Umpire in Chief]

Zippy,

Kevin gives sound advice on the CP. As for the shins, either will do very well. I'm a bit partial to the triple knee, and would go for the Diamond iX3, but I honestly can't remember a hit I took where I said "I'm glad I have the triple knee"

[Zippy]

Thanks Warren. Thats exactly what I was thinking about the shins.

As for the CP, I figured that I would get yelled at for even considering the "softshell" stuff. Yeah, I want to protect myself but I don't want to spend long summer days umpiring a youth baseball or softball tournament with an unnecessarily heavy and bulky hardshell. It just seems a bit of overkill to me. When the time comes and I'm ready to call varsity level and above, I'll be all over a hardshell. I'm just not sure if i really need one yet.

[semper_fi_72]

Zippy

I have the Pro 9 Shins. Very satisfied with them. I do youth, High School and Adult ball. They fit comfortably and have no protection issues with them. They also have some built in adjustment at the knee so you can make them fit your leg better. The straps are excellant.

CP- I started out with a soft shell CP and quickly switched. I took a shot to the collar bone area that laid me out and was sore for three weeks.

I now use the Wilson Charcoal and have taken fouls off of it in all levels. Have not felt a thing. In fact the noise that it makes when you take a good shot has players and coaches asking if your alright after they hear it.

The little bit of extra money is worth the protection.

[Marcus6]

Thanks Warren. Thats exactly what I was thinking about the shins.

As for the CP, I figured that I would get yelled at for even considering the "softshell" stuff. Yeah, I want to protect myself but I don't want to spend long summer days umpiring a youth baseball or softball tournament with an unnecessarily heavy and bulky hardshell. It just seems a bit of overkill to me. When the time comes and I'm ready to call varsity level and above, I'll be all over a hardshell. I'm just not sure if i really need one yet.

The idea that these protectors from Wilson (Gold, Platinum, and the other one mentioned above) are "bulky" and "heavy" and "hot" is just simply not true in my opinion. Ive worked multiple 90 degree plus days in them and have never been uncomfortable. Plus the Charcoal Gray protector is not that large at all. When you actually get the chance to break in these protectors, you will find they are quite form fitting and there is very little bulk to them. The Platinum is the bulkiest, but its nothing that bad. I would recommend staying away from those other protectors.

[okump96]

The undershirt you wear has a lot to do with how you feel down the stretch of any plate game.

IMO go with some sort of compression, moisture wicking system, like Under Armour. I even switched from loose UA to compression UA mid-season, and will never go back now...it feels a lot cooler (temperature wise).

In terms of CP quality, my thoughts mirror those who say to invest in quality gear - you won't regret it.

i'm in agreement with the cp thoughts. as for underSH*#s, i switched from compression to loose fit and feel cooler now. so on this issue...to each his own.

[ukce1861]

I take it y'all would disagree with this post then? I'm going to stick with the CP I've got, at least for now, because I do primarily softball and only little league, but the wide disparity of opinions is rather interesting (and annoying when you're trying to pick gear)... Besides, it's a dang sight better than the cloth-only CP that the league had me using last year...

[ukce1861]

However, a protector like the Honig's K1 has plastic plates in front of foam padding, wrapped in cloth to prevent patent infringement.

But the Diamond and Pro9 also have plastic plates wrapped in foam. Doesn't this provide a similar level of protection? If not, why not? From a physics perspective, the pressure created should be dispersed similarly, no matter where the plastic plates are located, on the surface or below the surface.

[Marcus6]

It's a matter of physics.

Hard shells dissipate the force more than a soft shell.

Now, with Joe West's patent, he has a hard shell monopoly. It seems the only place plastic is allowed to be exposed is the shoulder area. However, a protector like the Honig's K1 has plastic plates in front of foam padding, wrapped in cloth to prevent patent infringement.

If you can find something like this, it's an alright alternative. K1's are worn all the way up to AAA, possibly even in the MLB. If in doubt, look to what the big boys are wearing...the guys up there throw hard...they won't shortchange their safety for an endorsement deal. If it's in the MLB or MiLB, you should be good to go.

A while back Tschida & Jim Joyce were wearing Honig's K1 protectors (along with a few other guys). Everybody has switched.

Are the K1 and other similar protectors "good?" Yes, they are good. But they arent suitable for high school aged players and above (IMO). However, there is nothing wrong with wearing the Wilson Gold at ALL levels of baseball. As we discussed above, they are not heavy or bulky. They are actually surprisingly light. Plus you wont have to upgrade if/when the time comes to move up.

[kylejt]

I had my heart rhythm get screwed up by taking a shot in a 10 year old game.

Save up a few more weeks, and buy pro gear. It will pay off in the long run, and you'll come back here and thank us.

If you buy that Diamond or Pro9, wear it for two years, and are lucky enough not to get hurt, you won't be able to sell it for much. Wear a West Vest for a couple years, and you can sell that rig on eBay for some good coin. Quality gear holds it's value. I'll bet I could get $65-75 for my used Platinum tomorrow. Seeing that I paid $120 for it four years ago, that's a good deal.

I've given you two good reasons NOT to buy those rigs. Money and safety. Is there anything else?

[Kevin Finnerty]

But the Diamond and Pro9 also have plastic plates wrapped in foam. Doesn't this provide a similar level of protection? If not, why not? From a physics perspective, the pressure created should be dispersed similarly, no matter where the plastic plates are located, on the surface or below the surface.

There's a simple answer: The Wilsons--especially the Gold--have much thicker plates and padding. I will never go back to a thin, bargain brand chest protector. My chest contains my heart, which is one of my favorite organs.

[Umpire in Chief]

With all of the above being said about "cheap" CPs. I will say I wore the traditional ribbed CP for many years and for Varsity, Adult and Summer Wooden Bat. I took some good hits and it did hurt, and I never felt under protected, but now with the Gold I feel almost invincible.

I did intend on getting a hard shell of some sort at some time in the future when I worked a game with Ump81 and he said something to the effect of that as I move up the ranks I may not be seen as taking umpiring seriously if I use lesser equipment. This accelerated my getting a new CP.

[rth54]

I opted to take both umpiring and my body seriously ...went straight to WV Gold for my CP

Got gold shins (Davishins too) too but the consensus is clear that, if there is a place one can economize....it is in leg guards.

Edited January 11, 2010 by NuBlue

[Zippy]

It's definitely nice to know that everybody cares about a stranger's safety.

You guys just about have me convinced...I just wish I could work a game with several different CPs and see which one I was the most comfortable in and felt the safest in. Guess I'll just have to pull the trigger on one and give it a go.

[kylejt]

We're just trying to teach you from our mistakes. It's money well spent, and you'll never regret buying the best.

Just remember the West Vests take a little time to mold to your body shape. At first, they'll seem stiff, but they'll relax a bit after a few games.

Edited January 11, 2010 by kylejt

[Kevin Finnerty]

I know you're going to do lower-level ball at the start, which is why I stated that one of those would work for 12-under baseball or softball.

But think of it Kyle's way: The cost of the Diamond is about $75-$80 shipped. A year or two from now, you will want/need a Gold or Platinum. Then, you'll lay out anywhere from $125 (Platinum at a good price, shipped) to $140 (Gold) for the protection that you'll require.

So, your CP expense for the first two years will be a minimum of $205-to$225, less whatever you can get for a used Diamond (not much). Let's say, you get $30 for it. So you'll be spending a net total of $175-to-$205 for a Gold or Platinum, and you'll spend all the time you're wearing a Diamond inadequately protected. Whereas, if you go with the Gold or Platinum now, you'll spend a total of only $140 or less, and you'll be wearing optimal protection right out of the chute.

$140 now, or $205 (minimum) later.

Pardon me, while I scratch my head for a while.

[Stan W.]

I did intend on getting a hard shell of some sort at some time in the future when I worked a game with Ump81 and he said something to the effect of that as I move up the ranks I may not be seen as taking umpiring seriously if I use lesser equipment. This accelerated my getting a new CP.

First of all let me agree with what Ump81 told you. I have had this exact quote told to me as well when I was moving into my higher level association..........the term they used was that the candidate umpire needed to show them that he was "invested" in umpiring.........and it meant that he took his gear, uniform and training choices seriously.......

what ever the umpire in this thread chooses to do........and I expect he will buy the lesser gear...and thus join me and the many others who have wasted money and experienced injury...

I wish I had had the opportunity to have experienced umpires give me first hand accounts of the CP choices I made over the years.....

Edited January 12, 2010 by Stan W.

[Stan W.]

It's definitely nice to know that everybody cares about a stranger's safety.

You guys just about have me convinced...I just wish I could work a game with several different CPs and see which one I was the most comfortable in and felt the safest in. Guess I'll just have to pull the trigger on one and give it a go.

I have loaned my Platinum and my K1 to umpires in my association who were looking to get a game in to see what worked for them.

I settled on purchasing my platinum by borrowing one of my partners over a summer when He had to take off umpriring due to surgery. It only took about 2 games before I was ready to throw my K1 into the garbage....( I didn't... I still have it, and have worn it for infrequent subvarsity contests)

I returned the CP cleaned and draped over a case of his favorite Sam Adams...I am now entitled to borrow any item of his gear that I want...

Check with your association partners and see if any of them will let you do a game in theirs......

[Zippy]

I'm not even considering anything but a Wilson CP at this point. So thanks for talking me out of it!

But now I have to get the shins to match. Call me weird, but I like matching gear.

Looks like my mask will be my lone Diamond piece of gear...lol.

Edited January 12, 2010 by Zippy

[semper_fi_72]

I'm not even considering anything but a Wilson CP at this point. So thanks for talking me out of it!

But now I have to get the shins to match. Call me weird, but I like matching gear.

Looks like my mask will be my lone Diamond piece of gear...lol.

Ok....YOUR WEIRD!!!!!

Who see's your equipment when it is worn and knows it is the same color, manufacture or cares.

Use what works, mask, CP, shins, shoes.

Fit and protection are number 1.

I don't think you will run into anyone that will say, You have a Diamond Mask, a Wilson CP, Pro 9 Shins...can't you make up your mind what brand you like. Wait a minute....That's my equipment :wow:

[Zippy]

I appreciate the compliment Semper Fi.

I've always been that way, especially in baseball. If I had Nike spikes I just HAD to have Nike batting gloves, and first base mitt. Hell, I even had a Nike bat.

And after doing some research on the CP, the Wilson shins (#A3417-CHA17) looked more appealing to me than the diamonds.

I realize that nobody will see the shins and CP, but hey - I'm weird.

Edited January 12, 2010 by Zippy

[kylejt]

And after doing some research on the CP, the Wilson shins (#A3417-CHA17) looked more appealing to me than the diamonds.

I realize that nobody will see the shins and CP, but hey - I'm weird.

I have these Wilson's, and they're okay.

I do like the Davis shin guards better. But like the Bauer hockey official shin the best. Plus, they were $15 at the local used sporting goods store. They're light, Coolmax lined and mate up to my 450's like they were custom made.

Don't over look fitting up to your plate shoes. My Davis' go with my Davis patent leathers, and Bauers to the 450's, but not the other way around.

I used be loyal to one brand, Nike, but they were paying me to. No longer.